Oftentimes you’ll read a job advertisement that contains the sentence, “Due to the large volume of responses, only qualified candidates will be contacted.” If you’re applying for your dream job, reading this may provoke feelings of dread.

If there are hundreds of people pursuing the same position, how can you ensure that your resume isn’t lost in the shuffle?

Tailoring is everything. When reading through a job listing, make a list of the pertinent requirements contained in it. If it states that Photoshop experience is a must (and you do, in fact, have Photoshop experience), make certain that is on your resume. Ditto any other requirements that the ad lists that you possess. Don’t trust your cover letter to convey such details. Your resume may never make it through the ‘bots if it doesn’t contain the proper keywords.

Lauren Milligan, founder of ResuMayDay, a resume-writing and career services firm, advises applicants to look beyond the ad as well: “You could be dealing with a brief, generic job listing,” she says. “In that case, do your research or work with a professional resume writer to make sure your resume contains keywords crucial to the position.”

Follow instructions. Firms are getting more and more particular about how applicants apply for work. Heed their requests and do exactly as you’re directed in an ad or on a company’s website. If they ask for a cover letter, provide one. If they say, “No PDFs,” don’t send one. And if it states that you must include your salary requirements, do so.

“People make such a big deal about revealing salary history, but employers just want to see if there is an initial meeting of the minds around money,” Milligan says. If you’re apprehensive about possibly lowballing yourself, throw out a range and note that it’s based on what the rest of the compensation package includes.

Explore leads elsewhere. When you’re applying for a job and are nervous you’ll get lost in the shuffle, apply – but then see if you can find a back door in as well. Look for listings in niche publications or in postings on professional association websites that may list a manager’s name or title. Also, scan trade magazines for listings about people accepting new positions; this may provide you with the name of someone at the company and maybe even in the department at which you wish to work. Also, this is a great way to uncover ing on usually leave behind vacancies at their former companies.

“Every city or region has its own business news,” says Milligan, whose practice is based in the Chicago area. “Here we’ve got Crain’s and The Business Ledger. Read your local version to discover who’s who and which companies are showing growth.”

Use online networking. If you wish to better your chances after applying, scan your network — online and off — for folks who may have an in at the company in which you’re interested. If you can’t unearth a connection, search on a networking site.

“I get requests for introductions at least once a week, and, for the most part, I don’t mind passing on information,” Milligan says.

Try to find someone who works (or has worked) at the company who is connected to a member of your network. Ask your friend to reach out to this person on your behalf. Set up a call with this contact to learn what working there is like. Fing a connection in the company is the best way.

– Copyright 2014. Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles, visit career-advice.monster.com.